Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Deaths Report 1516
Deaths Report 1516
following
Deaths during or police
following police contact:
contact:
Statistics for England and Wales
2015/16
Acknowledgements
Kerry Grace led the production and analysis
of this report, with support from Melanie
OConnor and Yvonne Sekiwa in the IPCC
research team. Our thanks go to colleagues from
policy and engagement, investigations and the
communications team, all of whom helped to
gather and check the information in this report
or support its release. We would also like to thank
officers and staff at police forces across England
and Wales who provided information and
responded to our enquiries.
Contact details
If you have any questions or comments about
this report, please contact Kerry Grace at
research@ipcc.gsi.gov.uk
National statistics
The UK Statistics Authority has designated these
statistics as National Statistics, in accordance
with the Statistics and Registration Service Act
2007. This shows compliance with the Code of
Practice for Official Statistics. Designation means
that the statistics:
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Contents
iii
01
Introduction
02
Overall findings
03
04
Fatal shootings
05
10
06
14
07
16
08
Background note
22
09
26
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
iv
10
11
15
17
26
26
27
27
28
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
1. Introduction
Fatal shootings include fatalities where police officers fired the fatal shot using a conventional firearm.
Deaths in or following police custody includes deaths that happen while a person is being arrested or
taken into detention. It includes deaths of people who have been arrested or have been detained by
police under the Mental Health Act 1983. The death may have taken place on police, private or medical
premises, in a public place or in a police or other vehicle.
This includes deaths that happen:
during or following police custody where injuries that contributed to the death happened during
the period of detention
in or on the way to hospital (or other medical premises) following or during transfer from scene of
arrest or police custody.
as a result of injuries or other medical problems that are identified or that develop while a person
is in custody
while a person is in police custody having been detained under Section 136 of the Mental Health
Act 1983 or other related legislation
This does not include:
suicides that occur after a person has been released from police custody
deaths that happen where the police are called to help medical staff to restrain individuals who are
not under arrest
Apparent suicides following police custody includes apparent suicides that happen within two days of
release from police custody. This category also includes apparent suicides that occur beyond two days of
release from custody where the time spent in custody may be relevant to the death.
Other deaths following police contact includes deaths that follow contact with the police, either directly
or indirectly, that did not involve arrest or detention under the Mental Health Act 1983 and were subject
to an IPCC independent investigation. An independent investigation is determined by the IPCC for the most
serious incidents that cause the greatest level of public concern, have the greatest potential to impact
on communities, or that have serious implications for the reputation of the police service. Since 2010/11,
this category has included only deaths that have been subject to an IPCC independent investigation.
This is to improve consistency in the reporting of these deaths.
This may include deaths that happen:
after the police are called to attend a domestic incident that results in a fatality
while a person is actively attempting to avoid arrest; this includes instances where the death is self-inflicted
when the police attend a siege situation, including where a person kills themselves or someone else
after the police have been contacted following concerns about a persons welfare and there is concern
about the nature of the police response
where the police are called to help medical staff to restrain individuals who are not under arrest
See background note 2.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
2. Overall findings
2. Overall findings
In 2015/16, the following number of
fatalities occurred within each category:
Investigations
Once the IPCC is told of a fatality, it considers
the circumstances of the case and decides
whether to investigate independently, or to
manage or supervise a police investigation. In
some circumstances, it is decided that the police
Professional Standards Department (PSD) or
other equivalent department is best placed
to investigate a case locally. Box B on page five
provides a description of each type of investigation.
Table 2.1 shows the type of investigation at
the time of analysis for all incidents involving a
fatality recorded in 2015/16. The figures show
the number of incidents; an incident leading
to a single investigation can involve more than
one death and so the totals for some categories
may be lower than the total fatalities presented
above. In total, 130 incidents were independently
investigated. This is higher than previous years
due to the increase in the IPCCs resources and
capacity to investigate independently, where it is
appropriate to do so, more other deaths following
police contact. Across all death categories, and
as in recent years, no incidents were subject to a
managed or supervised investigation.
Road traffic
incidents
Fatal
shootings
Deaths in or
following
police custody
Apparent
suicides
following
custody
Other deaths
following
police
contact*
Independent
12
13
99
Managed
Supervised
Local
17
Back to force
40
Total incidents
20
14
60
99
Note: Investigation type as recorded on the IPCC case system at the time of analysis.
*This category includes only cases subject to an IPCC independent investigation.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
2. Overall findings
Trends
The figures presented in Table 2.2 show the
number of fatalities across the different
categories since 2005/062. It would not be
meaningful to produce trend analysis across
all five categories. This is due to the wide
Table 2.2 Fatalities by type of death and financial year, 2005/06 to 2015/16
Fatalities
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
Category
Road traffic fatalities
48
36
24
40
29
26
19
31
12
14
21
Fatal shootings
Deaths in or following
police custody
28
27
22
15
17
21
15
15
11
17
14
Apparent suicides
following custody
40
47
45^
56
54
46
39
65
70
70~
60
40
22
31~
35
39
57*~
47
22
44~
43~
102**
Figure 2.1 Incidents by type of death and financial year, 2005/06 to 2015/16
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
2009/10
2010/11
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
Fatal shootings
Information on fatalities from 2004/05 is available in the time series tables on the IPCC website.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
2014/15
2015/16
2. Overall findings
See the IPCCs Corporate Plan 2015-18 for more information about expansion.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Circumstances of death
Incidents are classified as pursuit-related if
they involved a pursuit, or where the police
were driving in the same direction as a
suspect vehicle. Not all of these incidents
will have entered an official pursuit phase
as defined in the Authorised Professional
Practice (APP) on police pursuits4. Incidents
where there was a collision involving a vehicle
that had recently been pursued by the police,
but where the police had lost sight of the
vehicle, are included. Incidents where the
police are driving in the direction of a vehicle
before obtaining permission to pursue are
also included as pursuit-related.
Pursuit-related
Emergency response-related
See College of Policing (2015) Authorised Professional Practice on police pursuit. The Association of Chief Police Officers
(ACPO) issued guidance in 2011 as a statutory code of practice for police pursuits. ACPO was replaced by the National Police
Chiefs Council (NPCC) in April 2015. The College of Policing now owns Authorised Professional Practice.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Trends
This year there were 21 deaths from 20
separate incidents. While this figure is more
than in the past two years, when the lowest
figures were reported, it is the fourth lowest
figure recorded over the 12-year period
since 2004/05. These figures are subject to
fluctuation and therefore caution should be
taken when making year on year comparisons.
Tables 3.1 and 3.2 provide details of the type of
road traffic fatalities and incidents over the past
11 years5. The tables show the incidents in the
three categories previously described: pursuitrelated, emergency response-related, and
other police traffic activity. This year, while the
number of pursuit-related incidents has doubled
compared to last year, overall it is the fourth
lowest number of pursuit-related incidents
recorded since 2005/06. The number of incidents
resulting from other police traffic activity is
similar to last year and accounts for more than a
third of all incidents6. There were two emergency
response-related incidents, following no fatalities
in the previous two years. This is the second
lowest figure of the 11-year period.
Information on fatalities and incidents from 2004/05 are available in the time series tables on the IPCC website.
Proportions should be treated with caution given the small numbers described.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
Pursuit-related
32
19
17
22
19
13
12
27
10
13
Emergency response
-related
Other
12
14
12
Total fatalities
48
36
24
40
29
26
19
31
12
14
21
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
Pursuit-related
27
19
11
16
17
13
12
19
12
Emergency response
-related
Other
11
13
11
Total incidents
42
35
18
33
26
24
19
23
11
13
20
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
4. Fatal shootings
4. Fatal shootings
This year there were three fatal police
shootings. This figure is the second highest
recorded since 2004/05. The circumstances of
the three fatal police shootings are described
below. All incidents are subject to ongoing
independent investigations.
In one incident, armed officers from the
Metropolitan Police went to a block of flats
after reports were made of an armed White
man, aged 43, threatening to shoot someone.
He was known to be potentially emotionally
or mentally distressed. Two officers fired five
shots, fatally injuring the man at the entrance
to his flat. A non-police firearm was recovered
from the scene.
Cambridgeshire armed police went to a report
of a domestic dispute. It was reported that
a 41 year old White man was armed with a
knife. The man fired shots at the police when
they arrived. The police fired a single shot
hitting the man in the chest. He received
medical attention but died at the scene. A
non-police firearm and two knives were found
inside the mans property.
Armed officers from the Metropolitan Police
Service were involved in stopping an attempt to
intercept a secure van transporting prisoners.
A 28 year old man of Mixed race received a
single gunshot wound from police during the
operation. Medical treatment was given but
the man died at the scene. The deceased was
in a vehicle when he was shot, where what
appeared to be a non-police issue firearm was
found. This incident is now the subject of a
criminal investigation into the actions of the
police officer involved.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
5. Deaths in or following
police custody
Demographics
Fourteen people died in or following police
custody; 12 were men and two were women.
Their ages ranged from 25 to 74. Ten people
were reported to be White, three were Asian7,
and one was Black.
Seven people were identified as having
mental health concerns. The types of mental
health concern identified included bipolar
disorder, depression and paranoia and selfharm or suicide tendency. One man had been
detained under Section 136 of the Mental
Health Act 1983.
Twelve people were known to have a link
to alcohol and / or drugs in that they had
recently consumed, were intoxicated from,
were in possession of, or had known issues
with drugs or alcohol at the time of their
arrest. Where cause of death was known, for
six people a pathologist stated that alcohol or
drug toxicity or long-term abuse was likely to
be a contributing factor in their death.
Number of
fatalities
Theft / burglary
Criminal damage
Total fatalities
14
Circumstances of detention
Table 5.1 shows the reasons why people were
arrested or detained by the police. Three people
were detained for an alleged assault or affray.
Two people were detained for suspected theft
or burglary, and two people for an offence
relating to alcohol or drugs: one for being
drunk and disorderly, and the other for alleged
possession of drugs and theft. Other reasons for
detention included suspected criminal damage,
breach of the peace or anti-social behaviour,
sexual offences against a child, detention under
the Mental Health Act, and driving offences.
7
10
Following changes to ethnicity classification by the Office for National Statistics, the Asian ethnic group now includes
Chinese. This was previously recorded under the Other ethnic group.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Number of fatalities
Physical restraint~
Knee strike
Total fatalities
^ The following types of force are recorded: restraint, restraint equipment, Taser, incapacitant spray, police dog.
* One person was also held by store staff.
~ One hold was in the prone position and one on the persons side, who
was also restrained by security staff.
Circumstances of death
In the circumstances of the deaths
described below, cause of death according
to the pathologists report following a postmortem10 is reported for nine of the 14
people who died. At the time of reporting,
the cause of death was pending for five
people. An inquest has been held in one
case. At an inquest, the cause of death will
be finally determined and may change from
that reported by the pathologist. All but one
of these 14 deaths are being independently
investigated by the IPCC.
Eight people were taken ill, or were identified
as being unwell in a police cell. Three of these
people died in a police cell and five were taken
to hospital where they died on arrival or some
time later. Of these eight:
Following her arrest, one woman was held
in custody for production at court. During
her stay in custody, following a number of
welfare checks, she was sent to hospital to
be assessed and was returned a few hours
later. She continued her stay in custody for
approximately 36 hours, when she was
identified as unresponsive. Her cause of
death is awaited.
One man was taken into custody and
searched. During a welfare check on
detainees approximately three hours
later, the man needed medical assistance.
Officers and a health care professional
administered first aid. Paramedics and an
air ambulance attended, but the man was
pronounced dead in the cell. His cause
of death was recorded as cocaine, MDMA
(ecstasy), and alcohol toxicity.
The term restraint refers to a range of actions including physical holds and pressure compliance. It does not include the
routine use of handcuffs unless another use of restraint was also used.
9
This device is designed and used to restrict the movements of limbs. Its application should prevent a person from kicking and
punching and allow for safe transportation of the person.
10
In a minority of cases, a post-mortem may not be conducted. In these instances the cause of death will be taken from the
records of the certifying doctor. If the cause of death is being formally disputed at the time of analysis, the cause of death will
be recorded as awaited.
8
11
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
12
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
11
13
Trends
Between 2004/05 and 2008/09, there was
a year-on-year reduction in the number of
deaths in or following custody. It reduced
from 36 deaths in 2004/05 to 15 deaths
in 2008/09. Over the next two years, the
number of deaths in custody increased to
21 in 2010/11 before falling back to 15 in
2011/12 and 2012/13. There was a further
reduction, to 11, in 2013/14. In 2014/15, the
number rose again to 17. This year has seen
a decrease to 14 fatalities, the second lowest
recorded number over the past 12 years.
This year no one died after making an
apparent suicide attempt while being held in
police custody. Since 2004/05, six people are
known to have made a fatal suicide attempt
in a police cell. The last incident was in
2014/15, and before that in 2008/09.
Serco is a private company contracted by the Ministry of Justice to transfer and escort detainees from police custody to court.
The IPCC has no jurisdiction over these staff.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
6. Apparent suicides
following police custody
Apparent suicides following police custody are
reported if they happen within two days of
a person being released from police custody.
They are also reported if the time spent
in custody may have been relevant to the
subsequent death, and the death has been
referred to the IPCC. The police may not always
be told of an apparent suicide that happens
after time spent in custody, as this association
may not always be clear. Therefore, there may
be additional deaths in these circumstances
that are not reported here.
The term suicide does not necessarily
relate to a coroners verdict as, in most cases,
verdicts are still pending. In these instances,
the case is only included if, after considering
the nature of death, the circumstances
suggest that death was an intentional selfinflicted act for example a hanging, or
where there was some evidence of suicidal
ideation, such as a suicide note.
Demographics
There were 60 apparent suicides following
police custody. Of these, 56 were male and four
were female. The average age of those who
died was 43. The most common age group was
41 to 50 (20 people), followed by 31 to 40 (15
people). The youngest was 16 years old. Fiftyeight people were reported to be White and
two people were Asian.
Circumstances of death
Eighteen apparent suicides occurred on the
day of release from police custody, 24 occurred
one day after release, and 16 occurred two
days after release.
There were two cases where the apparent
suicide took place longer than two days after
release from police custody one was five days
and the other one was 27 days after release.
Both of these cases are being independently
investigated:
In one incident, there was concern with
the level and recording of information
about the detainees risk on the prisoner
escort form that was shared with prison
staff when the detainee was released from
police custody. The apparent suicide took
place in prison five days later.
In the other incident, there was some
concern about police conduct during the
time a young man was in custody and
the level of safeguarding provided when
released, as he was a minor.
14
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Number of
fatalities
Sexual offences*
22
Criminal damage
Breach of peace^
Arson
Total fatalities
60
Trends
The number of apparent suicides following
custody is lower than the 70 recorded last
year, which was the highest number recorded
in this category since 2004/05. While the
reported figure this year is lower than the past
few years, it is the fourth highest recorded over
the 12-year period since 2004/05. Reporting of
these deaths relies on police forces making the
link between an apparent suicide and a recent
period of custody. Increases in these deaths
may therefore be influenced by improved
identification and referral of such cases.
15
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
12
16
Overall demographics
The IPCC independently investigated the
deaths of 102 people who died during or
following other contact with the police. Of
these:
Seventy-four people were men and 28
were women.
Eighty-one people were White, 11 were
Asian, seven were Black, two were from an
Other ethnic group, and one was of Mixed
heritage.
Five people were aged under 18, and 16
people were young adults aged between
18 and 24. The average age was 42.
Almost half the people who died (50) were
reported to be intoxicated with drugs and
/ or alcohol at the time of the incident, or it
featured heavily in their lifestyle. More than
half of people who died (55) were reported to
have mental health concerns information
on mental health was not identified or known
for 15 people.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Other contact
Number of
fatalities
Missing person
32
22
Domestic related
15
14
Other
Subtotal
92
Siege
Attending a disturbance
Other
Subtotal
10
Total fatalities
102
Circumstances of death
This category includes deaths that have
happened across a diverse range of
circumstances. The police contact may not
have been directly with the deceased, but
with a third party, as demonstrated in some of
the case examples below. Where stated, the
cause of death is taken from the pathologists
report following a post-mortem13.
As shown in Table 7.1, the most common
reason for contact with the police related to
a concern for welfare. That is, 92 people died
after concerns were raised with the police
either directly or indirectly about the safety or
wellbeing of the deceased before their death.
There were a further 10 fatalities recorded as
relating to other types of contact with the police.
13
17
In a minority of cases, a post-mortem may not be conducted. In these instances, the cause of death will be taken from the
records of the certifying doctor. If the cause of death is being formally disputed at the time of analysis, the cause of death will
be recorded as awaited.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
18
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
19
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Other contact
14
20
Ia. Restraint and struggling in an individual with truncal obesity, exhibiting features of acute behavioural disturbance II.
Moderate atherosclerotic stenosis of the major epicardial coronary arteries.
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Trends
In 2010/11, a change was made to the
definition of this category. It now includes
only those deaths following other police
contact that were investigated independently
by the IPCC. It would therefore not be
meaningful to provide any trend analysis
for this category. The deaths included in
this category involve a diverse range of
circumstances, which makes it difficult to
identify one specific set of events that account
for changes in the number of fatalities.
21
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Background note
8. Background
Paragraph 4(1)(a), 13(1)(a), 14c(1). Schedule 3, Part 1, Police Reform Act 2002 as amended by the Serious Organised Crime and
Police Act 2005, Schedule 12.
16
Regulation 34 of the Revenue and Customs (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2005.
17
Regulation 25 of the UK Border Agency (Complaints and Misconduct) Regulations 2010.
15
22
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Background note
23
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Background note
Further information
14. In January 2016, the IPCC published
its findings from a review examining
current police force practices in referring
complaints, conduct matters, and death
and serious injury matters to the IPCC.
The Home Secretary is clear that the
IPCC should be able to independently
investigate all serious and sensitive
cases. Therefore, the purpose of this
work was to assess whether police forces
have processes in place to make sure all
relevant matters are referred.
24
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Background note
25
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 2015/16
42
35
18
33
26
24
19
23
11
13
20
Fatal shootings
Deaths in or following
police custody
28
27
22
15
17
21
15
15
11
17
14
Apparent suicides
following custody
40
47
45^
56
54
46
39
65
70
70~
60
38
21
30~
33
37
49*~
37
20
41~
43~
99**
Fatal
shootings
Deaths in or
following
police custody
Apparent
suicides
following
custody
Other deaths
following
police
contact*
Male
21
12
56
74
Female
28
Total fatalities
21
14
60
102
Gender
Information on fatalities from 2004/05 is available in the time series tables on the IPCC website.
18
26
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Fatal
shootings
Deaths in or
following
police custody
Apparent
suicides
following
custody
Other deaths
following
police
contact*
Under 18
18 - 20
21 - 30
17
31 - 40
15
24
41 - 50
20
23
51 - 60
15
61 and over
14
Total fatalities
21
14
60
102
Fatal
shootings
Deaths in or
following
police custody
Apparent
suicides
following
custody
Other deaths
following
police
contact*
White
15
10
58
81
Asian^
11
Black
Mixed
Other
Total fatalities
21
14
60
102
Ethnic group
27
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16
Fatal shootings
Deaths in or
following
police custody
Apparent
suicides following
custody
Other deaths
following
police contact*
0
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
3
0
Cambridgeshire
Cheshire
City of London
Cleveland
Cumbria
Derbyshire
Dorset
Durham
Dyfed Powys
Essex
Gloucestershire
Greater Manchester
Gwent
Hampshire
Hertfordshire
Humberside
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Merseyside
Metropolitan
20
Norfolk
North Wales
North Yorkshire
Northamptonshire
Northumbria
Nottinghamshire
South Wales
South Yorkshire
Staffordshire
Suffolk
Surrey
Sussex
Thames Valley
Warwickshire
West Mercia
West Midlands
West Yorkshire
Wiltshire
British Transport
HMRC
Ministry of Defence
NCA
Home Office~
Total fatalities
21
14
60
102
Appropriate authority
28
Deaths during or following police contact: Statistics for England and Wales 2015/16